Mantas Liekis is not your typical startup cheerleader. He doesn’t promise instant success or talk about million-dollar valuations on day one. Instead, as the Chief Executive Officer of Persikas.com, Mantas Liekis brings something far more valuable to the table practicality, clarity, and hard-earned wisdom about what not to do when launching a startup.
In a world where entrepreneurship is often glamorized, Mantas Liekis stands out by telling the truth. His recent post on LinkedIn isn’t just a checklist; it’s a roadmap grounded in experience, highlighting the missteps founders often make and the smarter alternatives that can truly move a business forward.
Focus on Fundamentals, Not Fancy Packaging
Mantas Liekis starts by urging founders not to obsess over branding, logos, or a brand book at the very beginning. It’s a common trap thinking that a slick logo or polished brand identity is the secret sauce. But according to Mantas Liekis, that’s the least of your concerns when you’re starting out. What matters more is validating your idea, testing your assumptions, and getting those first customers. If no one wants what you’re offering, no logo in the world can save the business.
Build Before You Scale
Another critical point Mantas Liekis makes is about hiring. Startups often feel the pressure to scale rapidly, building teams before they’ve figured out how to bring in consistent leads. But Mantas Liekis warns against this. In the early stages, founders must get their hands dirty, understand the customer journey, and learn the levers of growth themselves. Only then can hiring be truly strategic.
This hands-on approach is not just about saving money it’s about building real competence. Mantas Liekis is essentially telling founders: become the expert before you delegate the task.
One Channel. One Focus. One Goal.
In today’s digital marketing ecosystem, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the endless possibilities SEO, PPC, content, social media, email marketing, affiliate partnerships, the list goes on. Mantas Liekis cuts through the noise with his third piece of advice: pick one acquisition channel and master it. Don’t scatter your efforts.
If Facebook Ads is your entry point, become a pro at it. Learn it. Test it. Scale it. According to Mantas Liekis, only when you’ve turned one channel into a predictable engine for customer acquisition should you think about expanding. This disciplined focus helps avoid burnout and maximizes learning.
Don’t Raise Until You’re Ready
Perhaps one of the most counterintuitive suggestions Mantas Liekis makes is to avoid raising money too early. In the startup world, raising capital is often seen as a badge of honor. But Mantas Liekis flips the script. He argues that unless you understand your numbers specifically your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) you’re not ready to take on investors.
He emphasizes the importance of hitting at least a 1:3 CAC to LTV ratio. Why? Because raising money without this understanding doesn’t lead to growth; it leads to wasted resources. Mantas Liekis urges founders to get their metrics right first and then consider scaling with outside funds.
Invest in Yourself First
Beyond the business tactics, Mantas Liekis makes a strong case for personal growth. Too often, early-stage founders think the solution is in building a team or increasing visibility. But Mantas Liekis believes the real ROI comes from learning vital skills whether that’s digital marketing, sales, or product development. These aren’t just “founder skills” they’re survival skills in the early startup phase.
By investing in their own capabilities, founders can move faster, make better decisions, and avoid becoming overly dependent on others. It’s not about doing everything forever, but about knowing enough to guide the business intelligently.
The Truth About Networking Events
Finally, Mantas Liekis challenges the value of early networking. Many startup events are filled with people who, while well-meaning, aren’t really interested in your idea unless it’s already a success story. Mantas Liekis suggests that time is better spent learning and executing. Build something first something real. Then go to the events when you have something worth talking about.
It’s a refreshing take. Instead of rushing into the spotlight, Mantas Liekis encourages founders to be builders first, storytellers later.
Why This Matters
What makes Mantas Liekis’ advice so powerful is its honesty. There’s no fluff, no empty motivation, just straight talk from someone who’s walked the path. In an age of instant gratification and shortcut culture, Mantas Liekis advocates for discipline, learning, and patience.
He reminds us that startups aren’t just about chasing unicorn status. They’re about solving real problems, connecting with real customers, and building something sustainable. And to do that, you need more than hype you need humility, focus, and a willingness to do the work.
Mantas Liekis isn’t selling a dream. He’s building a blueprint. And for any founder out there looking for real guidance not just a highlight reel his advice is gold.
